A father and daughter were killed in a small plane crash on Monday in Florida, which was bound for Jamaica on a hurricane relief mission, according to their ministry.
Alexander Wurm, 53, and his 22-year-old daughter, Serena Wurm, died after the aircraft crashed into a waterway in a residential area of Coral Springs, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
Ignite the Fire Ministry released a statement on Monday night, saying Alexander Wurm was known for his “warmth and unwavering kindness” and that he “devoted his life to serving others.”
Michelle Saldeba, Ignite the Fire Ministry
“Throughout his life, Alex travelled extensively, reaching various countries and continents, where he tirelessly worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need. His legacy of faith and compassion touched countless lives,” the ministry added.
The ministry said Serena Wurm, “following in her father’s footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work.”
Adding that, “Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love.”
Alexander and Serena Wrum are survived by their wife and mother, Candace, and two children, son James, 17, and daughter Christiana, 20.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the cause of the crash. The plane went down about five minutes after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and was heading to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The plane did not strike any houses, but did strike some trees before entering the water, officials said. No one on the ground was injured in the crash, according to officials.
Jamaica, which analysts have said remains the hardest-hit country in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, suffered catastrophic damage and widespread destruction after the hurricane made landfall last month as a Category 5 storm.
Despite the aid coming in to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations in the region hard hit by the hurricane, the storm has left over 4.8 million tons of debris blocking roads, obstructing access to schools, hospitals and clinics, farms and markets, slowing the delivery of relief supplies, and delaying the restoration of key services, based on analysis from the United Nations Development Programme.
Tens of thousands of homes have been damaged, particularly in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland in Jamaica, where whole towns were decimated and up to 90% of buildings in some areas were impacted, according to the UNDP.